Power supply section configuration for an electronic vaping device and electronic vaping device

ABSTRACT

A power supply section for an e-vaping device includes a sensor housed in a housing, a sensor holder holding the sensor, the sensor holder disposed in the housing to divide the housing into a first portion and a second portion, and the sensor and the sensor holder configured to substantially prevent air flow from the first portion into the second portion, and a power source disposed in the second portion. The construction of this unit insures that gases that may be produced by outgassing of the battery cell will be vented to the environment and that those gases will be isolated from the air that is mixed with the vaporized e-liquid and inhaled by the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/823,419, filed Aug. 11, 2015, the entire content of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Some example embodiments relate generally to a power supply sectionconfiguration for an electronic vaping device, and/or an electronicvaping device.

Related Art

Electronic vaping devices are used to vaporize a liquid material into avapor in order for an adult vaper to inhale the vapor. These electronicvaping devices may be referred to as e-vaping devices. An e-vapingdevice may typically include several e-vaping elements such as a powersupply section and a cartomizer. The power supply section includes apower source such as a battery, and the cartomizer includes a heateralong with a reservoir capable of holding the liquid material. Thecartomizer typically includes the heater which is in contact with aliquid material via a wick, the heater being configured to heat theliquid material to produce a vapor. The liquid material typicallyincludes an amount of nicotine. An e-vaping device may also include apuff sensor that triggers heating of the liquid material when the userpuffs on the e-vaping device in order to produce the vapor inhaled bythe adult vaper.

Conventional e-vaping devices include the puff sensor at a distal end ofthe device in the power supply section, which is typically at anopposite end of the device from the mouthpiece. Accordingly, during use,air enters at the tip of the device and circulates around the powersource and then passes through the cartomizer. The air is then mixedwith the vaporized liquid and is inhaled by the adult vaper. The powersource may be a lithium ion battery cell which may exhibit outgassingduring operation resulting in a potentially harmful gas being releasedfrom the battery cell. Because the incoming air must flow over the powersource the result may be a mixing of the battery cell outgas with thevaporized Liquid inhaled by the adult vaper. In addition, after constantuse the vent hole at the tip may eventually be clogged as a result ofdust or other environmental conditions and the resistance to draw (RTD)may be increased which may result in a decreased life for the battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one example embodiment relates to a power supply section of ane-vaping device.

In one example embodiment, the power supply section for an e-vapingdevice includes a sensor housed in a housing, a sensor holder holdingthe sensor, the sensor holder disposed in the housing to divide thehousing into a first portion and a second portion, and the sensor andthe sensor holder configured to substantially prevent air flow from thefirst portion into the second portion, and a power source disposed inthe second portion. The sensor holder section as well as the powersource section will each contain separate and independent vent holesrespectively. The vent hole in the sensor section allows air to enterinto the cartomizer as well as activates the sensor when in use. Thevent hole in the power supply section allows the outgassing from thebattery cell to exit through the tip of the e-vaping device. As a resultof the separation of compartments between the sensor and power supply,the inhaled air may be substantially preventing from passing over thepower supply. Thus, the inhaled vapor will not mix with the gasesreleased from the battery cell. If outgassing occurs from the batterycell, the resulting gas may be released through the vent in the tip ofthe e-vaping device.

In one embodiment, the sensor holder holds the sensor such that thesensor senses a pressure drop in the first portion, the sensor may be apuff sensor and the power source may be a battery. The sensor holder isa hollow structure having a first dimension section and a seconddimension section, the first dimension section defining a first cavityhaving a least a first dimension, the second dimension section defininga second cavity having a least a second dimension, the second cavitycorresponding to a shape of the sensor, and the first dimension beingsmaller than the second dimension.

In one embodiment, the sensor holder has a substantially cylindricalshape, and the first and second dimensions are first and seconddiameters, respectively. The sensor holder may have an annular flange ata transition between the first dimension section and the seconddimension section.

In one embodiment, the sensor holder includes at least one firstprojection projecting from one end of the sensor holder, the at leastone first projection being between the sensor holder and the powersource, and the power supply section includes at least one secondprojection projecting from another end of the sensor holder.

In one embodiment, the sensor includes a control circuitry configured tocontrol supply of power from the power source.

Alternatively, the power supply circuit includes a control circuitrythat is coupled with the sensor and configured to control supply ofpower from the power source.

Example embodiments relate to a power supply section for an e-vapingdevice that includes a seal between a first portion and a second portionof the power supply section, the seal being configured to substantiallyprevent air flow from the first portion into the second portion, and apower source in the second portion.

In one embodiment, the seal includes a sensor and a sensor holder, thesensor being electrically coupled to the power source.

At least one example embodiment relates to an e-vaping device.

In one embodiment, the e-vaping device includes a cartomizer including aliquid reservoir holding a liquid, a mouthpiece and a heater configuredto heat the liquid, and a power supply section removably connected tothe cartomizer via a connector and including a sensor housed in ahousing, a sensor holder holding the sensor, the sensor holder disposedin the housing to divide the housing into a first portion and a secondportion, and the sensor and the sensor holder are configured tosubstantially prevent air flow from the first portion into the secondportion, and a power source disposed in the second portion andconfigured to supply power to the heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of example embodiments willbecome more apparent by describing in detail, example embodiments withreference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings areintended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted tolimit the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings arenot to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.

FIGS. 1A-1B are illustrations of an e-vaping device according to atleast one example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of a power supply section for ane-vaping device, according to at least one example embodiment;

FIGS. 3A-3E are illustrations of a puff sensor and a puff sensor holder,according to at least one example embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of cartomizer according to at least oneexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown byway of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail.It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limitexample embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of exampleembodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Thus,the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of adevice and are not intended to limit the scope of example embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an e-vaping device according to at least oneexample embodiment. In FIG. 1A, the e-vaping device 100 includes areplaceable cartomizer (or first section) 25 and a power source section(or second section) 75, which are coupled together at a connector 50.Both the power source section 75 and the cartomizer 25 are illustratedas having a cylindrical shape of substantially equal diameter. However,it will be appreciated that example embodiments are not limited to acylindrical shape. For example, the power source section 75 and thecartomizer 25 may have a rectangular or other shape. In one exampleembodiment, a power source or battery and control circuitry are includedin the power source section 75. Upon completing the connection betweenthe power source section 75 and the cartomizer 25 at the connector 50,when an adult vaper uses the e-vaping device 100, the power sourceincluded in the power source section 75 is electrically connected with aheater element of the cartomizer 25. It should be noted that althoughFIG. 1A illustrates the e-vaping device 100 having two releasablycoupled sections 25 and 75, example embodiments may include a unitarye-vaping device where the above-discussed features are housed in asingle section.

In FIG. 1B, the power source section 75 includes a male connector 50 aof the connector 50 located at an end thereof. Although a male connector50 a is illustrated in FIG. 1B, the connector 50 a may instead be afemale connector. The power source section 75 may also include an airvent 55 configured to let air flow therein during use of the e-vapingdevice by an adult vaper.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a power source section for ane-vaping device, according to at least one example embodiment. As shown,a puff sensor holder 35 divides the power source section 75 into asensing portion 68 and a power source portion 70. The power sourceportion 70 includes a power source 64. The power source 64 may be, forexample, a battery. The power source portion 70 also includes a heateractivation light or LED 60 configured to glow when power is generated.In one embodiment, the heater activation light 60 is at a proximate endof the power source section 75 so that the heater activation light 60takes on the appearance of a burning coal during a puff. In oneembodiment, the proximate end of the power source section 75 may alsoinclude at least one air vent 65 configured to evacuate any gasespresent in the power source section 75.

In one embodiment, the sensing portion 68 includes a chamber 58configured to receive air via the air vents 55 when the e-vaping deviceis in use. In an embodiment, the air vents 55 are provided at an anglewith respect to a longitudinal direction of the power source section 75.For example, an acute angle ensures greater efficiency in allowing theairflow to enter the chamber 58 during use of the e-vaping device 100.The puff sensor holder 35 holds or supports a puff sensor 40 such thatthe puff sensor 40 may sense when an adult vaper is using the e-vapingdevice 100, for example, sensing the receipt of air through the airvents 55 and the chamber 58, or sensing a pressure drop in the chamber58 when in use.

In one embodiment, the sensing portion 68 may also include controlcircuitry 45 that may be integrated with or connected to the puff sensor40 to control the supply of power in response to the puff sensor 40sensing that an adult vaper is using the e-vaping device. The controlcircuitry 45 may be connected to the heater activation light or LED 60of the power source portion 70 and a heater in the cartomizer 25 whenthe cartomizer 25 is connected to the power source section 75.

According to at least one example embodiment, the puff sensor 40 isplaced in close proximity to the male connector 50 a and is held inplace via the puff sensor holder 35. The male connector 50 a may includea suction post 30 configured to allow a path for air entering air vents55, during use of the e-vaping device, to flow to the cartomizer 25. Thesuction post 30 may be a tubular section at an end of the power sourcesection 75 and is configured to ensure a direct air path between thechamber 58 and the cartomizer 25 when the power source section 75 isconnected to the cartomizer 25. The suction post 30 may be held in placevia a gasket ring 32.

In one embodiment, the puff sensor holder 35 is held in place and/orsubstantially prevented from moving inside the sensing portion 68 by oneor more projections 56 located against an inside wall of the powersource section 75. Alternatively, the projections 56 may be a thickerportion of the inside wall of the power source section 75. Accordingly,the puff sensor holder 35 is substantially prevented from slidingtowards the male connector 50 a by the projections 56.

During operation of the e-vaping device, the puff sensor 40 isconfigured to sense an air pressure drop in the chamber 58 and toinitiate the application of voltage from the power source via thecontrol circuitry 45.

In one embodiment, the combination of the puff sensor holder 35 and thepuff sensor 40 form a seal configured to substantially hermeticallyisolate the power source portion 70 from the sensing portion 68.Accordingly, when airflow is created in the sensing portion 68 as aresult of using the e-vaping device 100 by an adult vaper, which drawsoutside air from the air vents 55 and create a pressure drop at the puffsensor 40, little or no airflow enters the power source portion 70 bythe puff sensor holder 35. As a result, degradation of the power supplysource 64 due to contact with the airflow is reduced or substantiallyprevented. In addition, outgassing from the power source 64 issubstantially prevented from entering into the cartomizer 25 via thesensor chamber 58. Outgassing from the power source 64 will be via venthole 65.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section of a puff sensor holder, according to atleast one example embodiment. In FIG. 3A, the puff sensor holder 35 is ahollow cylinder having a first diameter section 35 a and a seconddiameter section 35 b. The first diameter section 35 a has a first innerdiameter D1 and defines a first cavity, and the second diameter section35 b has a second inner diameter D2 and defines a second cavity. Inexample embodiments, D1 is less than D2 such that an inner annularflange 38 is formed in the puff sensor holder 35. The space defined bythe second inner diameter D2 matches the shape of the puff sensor 40such that the puff sensor 40 can be snuggly and substantiallyhermetically seated in the puff sensor holder 35.

In one embodiment, projections 31 are at an end of the second diametersection 35 b. It should be noted that, the puff sensor 40 is not limitedto having, for example, a circular cross-section, and accordingly, thecross-section of the interior space of the second diameter section 35 bis not limited to a circular cross-section.

The first and second diameter sections 35 a and 35 b have the same outerdiameter, which closely matches the inner diameter of the housing forthe power source section 75 such that the puff sensor holder 35 issubstantially hermetically seated in the power source section 75. Thecombination of the puff sensor 40 and the puff sensor holder 35 forms aseal that substantially hermetically isolates the sensing portion 68from the power source portion 70. In one embodiment, the puff sensorholder 35 may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or silicone.

In one embodiment, the projections 31 provide a physical separationbetween the puff sensor holder 35 and a battery 64 housed in the powersource portion 70. Accordingly, the projections 31 are configured to,for example, prevent the battery 64 from contacting the puff sensorholder 35, preventing potential short of battery connection with controlcircuitry contacts, or to substantially prevent either or both of thepuff sensor holder 35 and the battery 64 from moving.

FIG. 3B is an end view of the puff sensor holder 35 at the end of thefirst diameter section 35 a in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3B, the puff sensorholder 35 includes a circular opening 36 having diameter D1. It shouldbe noted that the opening 36 may have a shape other than circular. Forexample, the opening 36 may have a square or a rectangular shape, amongother shapes. FIG. 3C is an end view of the puff sensor holder 35 of thesecond diameter section 35 b in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C illustrates annularflange 38 upon which the puff sensor 40 seats.

FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross-section of a puff sensor 40, accordingto at least one example embodiment. In one embodiment, the puff sensor40 is coupled to the control circuitry 45. The control circuitry 45 isconfigured to control the flow of power (e.g., current) from the battery64. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 45 includes electrodes 44and a processor configured to control the application of power from thebattery 64 when an air pressure drop in the chamber 58 (illustrated inFIG. 2) is sensed by the puff sensor 40 due to the use of the e-vapingdevice by an adult vaper. Although the control circuitry 45 isillustrated as having a cylindrical shape concentric with the shape ofthe puff sensor 40, the control circuitry 45 may have other shapes andmay include one or more additional control components configured tocontrol the application of power from the battery 64.

FIG. 3E is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a puff sensor beingheld in a puff sensor holder, according to at least one exampleembodiment. In FIG. 3E, the puff sensor 40 is snuggly seated within thepuff sensor holder 35. In one embodiment, the puff sensor holder 35 issnuggly fit against an inside wall of the power source section 75. Forexample, the cylindrical puff sensor holder 35 is substantiallyhermetically secured against the inside cylindrical walls of the powersource section 75. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 40 abutts againstthe flange 38 of the puff sensor holder 35. The flange 38 may beconfigured to snuggly seat the puff sensor 40 within the puff sensorholder 35. At an opposite end of the puff sensor 40 from the flange 38in a longitudinal direction of the puff sensor 40, the electrodes 44 areconfigured to ensure electrical and control coupling with the battery 64housed in the power source portion 70. Accordingly, in operation, whenan adult vaper uses the e-vaping device, the control circuitry 45 isconfigured to supply power in response to the puff sensor 40 sensingthat an adult vaper is drawing on the e-vaping device. In oneembodiment, the projections 31, located at an opposite side of the puffsensor holder 35 from the opening 36 in a longitudinal direction of thepuff sensor holder 35, are configured to substantially prevent thebattery 64 from contacting the puff sensor holder 35 and/or tosubstantially prevent either or both of the puff sensor holder 35 andthe battery 64 from moving.

In view of the above description illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E, during useof the e-vaping device, air that penetrates through the vents 55 andthat circulates at the puff sensor 40 is substantially prevented fromentering the power source portion 70 by the puff sensor holder 35. As aresult, degradation of the battery 64 housed in the power source portion70 can be substantially prevented or reduced. In addition, outgassingfrom the power source 64 is substantially prevented from entering intothe cartomizer 25 via the sensor chamber 58. Outgassing from the powersource 64 will be via vent hole 65.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of cartomizer according to at least oneexample embodiment. In FIG. 4, the replaceable cartomizer 25 may includea liquid supply reservoir 22 including a liquid, a wick 28 configured towick the liquid from the liquid supply reservoir 22, and a heaterelement 14 configured to heat the liquid in the wick 28 to form a vapor.In an example embodiment, the heater 14 is contained in the cartomizer25 downstream of, and in spaced apart relation to, the portion ofcentral air passage 20 defined by a seal 15. When an adult vaper usesthe e-vaping device, the air flows from vents 55 and the suction post 30of the power source section 75 into the bore of the central air passage20 and into the outer air passage 9. According to example embodiment,the heater 14 can be in the form of a wire coil, a planar body, aceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire or any othersuitable form. The wick 28 may be in communication with both the liquidmaterial in the liquid supply reservoir 22 and with the heater 14, suchthat the wick 28 provides a path for the liquid material to flow betweenthe liquid supply reservoir 22 and the heater 14. The wick 28 may beconstructed of a fibrous and flexible material, and/or may include atleast one filament having a capacity to draw a liquid. In one exampleembodiment, the power supply 64 included in the power source section 75may be operably connected by the control circuitry 45 to the heater 14to apply a voltage across the heater 14 in order to heat the liquid andgenerate a vapor. The cartomizer 25 and the power source section 75 arecoupled together physically and electrically at threaded connections 50a and 50 b, where 50 a is a male threaded connection on the power sourcesection 75 (see FIG. 2), and 50 b is a female threaded connection on thecartomizer 25 (see FIG. 4).

In one example embodiment, a ground (negative) connection may be formedvia an electrical connection between the threaded connections 50 a and50 b, and a (positive) voltage connection may be formed via theelectrical connection between the post 30 of the power source section 75and a post (not shown) of the cartomizer 25. For example, lead wires mayconnect the post 30 of the power source section 75 and the threadedconnector 50 a to control circuitry (not shown) in the power sourcesection 75, and other lead wires may connect the threaded connector 50 band a post of the cartomizer 25 to the heater element 14. Accordingly,in operation, when the cartomizer 25 and the power source section 75 arecoupled, a circuit is formed.

According to at least one example embodiment, the cartomizer 25 furtherincludes a mouth-end insert 8 having at least one or two off-axis,diverging outlets 24. The mouth-end insert 8 may be in fluidcommunication with the central air passage 20 via the interior of innertube 62, which extends through the stopper 10. Moreover, the heater 14extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction andheats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize theliquid material and form a vapor. In other example embodiments, otherorientations of the heater 14 may be contemplated. For example, theheater 14 and the heated portion of the wick 28 may be arrangedlongitudinally within the inner tube 62. The heater 14 may also bearranged centrally within the inner tube 62. However, in other exampleembodiments, the heater 14 may be arranged adjacent an inner surface ofthe inner tube 62.

In at least one example embodiment, the wick 28, liquid supply reservoir22 and mouth-end insert 8 are contained in the cartomizer 25, and thepower supply 64 is contained in the power source section 75.

Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious thatthe same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of exampleembodiments, and all modifications as would be obvious to one skilled inthe art are intended to be included within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power supply section for an e-vaping device,comprising: a housing with first and second portions; a seal separatingthe first and second portions, the seal including a sensor holder and asensor, the seal being configured to substantially prevent air flowbetween the first portion and the second portion, the sensor holderhaving a hollow geometry with a first cross-section portion and a secondcross-section portion, the sensor mating with the first cross-sectionportion and the second cross-section portion mating with an interior ofthe housing to cooperatively form the seal; and a power source in thesecond portion.
 2. The power supply section of claim 1, wherein thesensor holder holds the sensor such that the sensor senses a pressuredrop in the first portion.
 3. The power supply section of claim 2,wherein the sensor is a puff sensor.
 4. The power supply section ofclaim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 5. The powersupply section of claim 1, further comprising: at least one air inlet influid communication with the first portion.
 6. The power supply sectionof claim 1, wherein the first cross-section portion includes a firstcavity having at least a first radial dimension, the first cavitycorresponding to a shape of the sensor; and the second cross-sectionportion includes a second cavity having a least a second radialdimension.
 7. The power supply section of claim 6, wherein the sensorholder has a substantially cylindrical shape; and the first and secondradial dimensions are first and second diameters, respectively.
 8. Thepower supply section of claim 7, wherein the sensor holder has anannular flange at a transition between the first cross-section portionand the second cross-section portion, the sensor being seated on theannular flange.
 9. The power supply section of claim 6, wherein thefirst radial dimension is larger than the second radial dimension. 10.The power supply section of claim 1, wherein the sensor holder includesat least one first projection projecting from one end of the sensorholder, the at least one first projection being between the sensorholder and the power source.
 11. The power supply section of claim 1,wherein the power supply section includes at least one second projectionat another end of the sensor holder, the sensor holder being seated onthe second projections.
 12. The power supply section of claim 1, whereinthe sensor comprises control circuitry configured to control supply ofpower from the power source.
 13. The power supply section of claim 1,further comprising: control circuitry coupled with the sensor andconfigured to control supply of power from the power source.
 14. Thepower supply section of claim 1, further comprising: an LED cap at adistal end of the second portion.
 15. The power supply section of claim14, wherein the LED cap includes a vent configured to allow outgassingfrom the power supply section to be released.
 16. An e-vaping device,comprising: a cartridge including a liquid reservoir holding a liquid, amouthpiece and a heater configured to heat the liquid; and a powersupply section removably connected to the cartridge via a connector andincluding, a housing with first and second portions; a seal separatingthe first and second portions, the seal including a sensor holder and asensor, the seal being configured to substantially prevent air flowbetween the first portion and the second portion, the sensor holderhaving a hollow geometry with a first cross-section portion and a secondcross-section portion, the sensor mating with the first cross-sectionportion and the second cross-section portion mating with an interior ofthe housing to cooperatively form the seal; and a power source in thesecond portion and configured to supply power to the heater.
 17. A powersupply section for an e-vaping device, comprising: a seal separating afirst portion and a second portion of the power supply section, the sealincluding a sensor holder and a sensor, the seal being configured tosubstantially prevent air flow between the first portion and the secondportion, the sensor holder having a hollow geometry with a firstcross-section portion and a second cross-section portion, the sensormating with the first cross-section portion and the second cross-sectionportion mating with an interior of the power supply section tocooperatively form the seal; and a power source in the second portion.18. The power supply section of claim 17, wherein the sensor iselectrically coupled to the power source.